Fossett Brothers Circus, which failed to pay Vat for eight years, was facing an uphill struggle to survive, a judge said yesterday.

Fossett Brothers Circus will learn in little over a fortnight whether it folds its tents for the last time or catapults its way to a new beginning.

A judge who played Santa has saved Christmas for the children and the clowns. Judge Jacqueline Linnane granted the famed Fossett Brothers Circus the protection of the circuit civil court from creditors.

Fossett Brothers Circus, which a judge heard yesterday has had financial difficulties for years, is to ask the Circuit Civil Court to consider giving the company protection against its creditors under examinership.